RE: (erielack) A sad day for DL&W folks

["Michael Steinberg" <u34ch_@_bellatlantic.net>]

Doug,

I am saddened by your withdrawl of support, but I can't force you to support
something you do not believe in. I hope that later on down the road, once we
have our Erie Lackawanna diner running over the Lackawanna Cutoff between
Hoboken and Scranton and beyond you will reconsider your decision. I
personally share your preference of the Lackawanna over the Erie, so I
slightly understand your reasoning. However, I will also promise you that I
personally, while wholeheartedly supporing the possible purchase of the Erie
diner, am continuing to pursue the purchase of 469. My goal is to have a
Phoebe Snow diner once again run on Phoebe Snow rails, and I hope that when
that time comes, I can once again ask for your support.

Regards,
Michael Steinberg
President, Erie Lackawanna Diner Preservation Society

- -----Original Message-----
From: erielack-owner_@_lists.railfan.net
[mailto:erielack-owner_@_lists.railfan.net]On Behalf Of MajorDRMUS@aol.com
Sent: Monday, May 07, 2001 10:06 PM
To: erielack_@_lists.railfan.net
Subject: (erielack) A sad day for DL&W folks


To all,

I just read the e-mail stating that DL&W #470 had been sold to the American
Orient Express gang.

As a Lackawanna fan and modeller, it makes me sad to know that another
little
(but important) piece of the Lackwanna has passed into oblivion.  Yes, the
Erie and the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western merged in 1960, but we all
know
that what really happened was the DL&W was absorbed by ( and dismantled by)
the Erie management.

Why? Two reasons, really.  One, a devastating hurricane, otherwise known as
an Act Of God.   Two, NJ officials who were pro-highway, pro Detroit,
pro-oil
company, pro-"American freedom" and anti-socialism (read, inefficient
travel).  Were they on the take from these constituencies?  Maybe. Were they
over-reacting to "big" railroads and the stories they read in the national
press at the time?  Maybe.  Were the NorthEast railroads over-built and
over-saturated in terms of potential customers? Maybe. Were the NJ-Port
Authority managers idiots with no forsight about transportation issues?
Definitely.  All you NJ commuters out there know whereof I speak.How's the
traffic on I-80 these days?

So, I withdraw my pledged $200 that may now go for an Erie car. Good luck
with your project, really and sincerely. I do hope you accomplish your goal.
But count me out.  A gentle reminder - the E/L name, and henceforth,
perhaps,
the Erie/Lack list, is half Lack.

Doug M
(Can't wait to see the response to this one - thanks for reading my
soapbox...)

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